Thunder players hadn’t taken their first shots yet during U.S. Cellular Training Camp, but General Manager and Executive Vice President Sam Presti already knew what he wanted this year: better shooting. After last season when many players didn’t hit their normal levels of efficiency shooting the ball, from behind the arc and at the free throw line in particular, Presti came into the 2018-19 campaign insistent that Head Coach Billy Donovan help the team generate higher percentage shots, and that the guys on the roster step up and deliver when called upon for a jumper.
Donovan himself has evaluated a statistic called expected field goal percentage, which takes a variety of factors into account – like the specific player’s statistical history, shot locations, level of defense and situation.